Honing stone retainer



June 25, 1963 w. F. HA NNON 3,094,820

, HONING STONE RETAINER w Original Filed April 20. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1v 4 1 19 a 17 I 181? 16 INVENTOR. Mzz/m/ [fi m/NON iTTOP/VEYS June 25,1963 w. F. HANNON HONING STONE RETAINER Original Filed April 20. 1960 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I IN V EN TOR. Ma MM/TMAWQA/ United States PatentConnecticut Continuation of application Ser. No. 23,422, Apr. 20, 1960.This application Aug. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 216,268

8 Claims. (Cl. 51-1841) This invention relates to honing machinerygenerally and, more particularly, to a device to retain a honing stonefor use in such machinery.

This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 23,422,filed April 20, 1960, now abandoned.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedstructural arrangement for a honing stone retainer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a honing stone retainerwhich will permit more accurate control over the relative pressurebetween the honing stone and the work piece.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device to retainhoning stones of extremely small dimensions.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a honing stoneapparatus which can operate on very small rings, such as about 01150" indiameter.

Briefly, one form of the invention provides a body having a channelterminating in a honing stone chamber such that a fluid under pressure,such as air pressure for example, can be connected to the channel andcom- 'municated to one end of a honing stone. By this arrangement, thehoning stone itself acts as a piston, and the honing action on a workpiece is controlled accurately by varying the pressure of the fluid.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. '1 is a bottom-side perspective view of a honing stone retainer inaccordance with the principles of the invention;

' FIG. 2 is a plan view diagrammatically showing a honing machine withwhich the retainer of the invention is adapted for use;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in the drawing, thenumeral identifies the honing stone retainer generally, the retainerhaving a body 11 terminating at one end in a plurality of threads 12 andin a honing stone receiving or head end 13. While the body 11 may takeany desired configuration, it is shown in the drawings as beingelongated or rod-shaped.

The head end 13 is provided with a chamber 14 with an axis transverse tothe longitudinal axis of the body 11 and with an opening externally ofthe head end 13. The dimensions of the chamber 14 are appropriate toreceive a honing stone 15 (FIG. 3) in relatively close fittingrelationship therewith.

To communicate a fluid pressure to the chamber 14, a channel 16 extendsalong the axial length of the body 11 and terminates at the innermostend of the chamber 14, as best seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

The opposite end of the :body 11 from the chamber 14, terminates in athreaded end 12, as mentioned previously, for connection with a suitablefluid pressure line 17. An adapter 18 may be used when it is necessaryto fit the threaded end 12 to a line 17 having threads of a differentcharacter from the threads 12. While any suitable connection means maybe used to connect the chan- 3,094,820 Patented June 25, 1963 nel 16 toa suitable fluid pressure line 17, a threaded means is shown in thedrawings for illustrative purposes.

A flange 19 extends radially from the outer surface of the body 11 andmay be formed integrally therewith in some instances. However, in thepreferred form of the invention, the flange 19 is a separate unit and isattached to the body 11 by a screw 20, FIG. 3. When using the honingstone retainer of the invention with a honing machine, it is essentialthat the stone 15 be accurately positioned longitudinally of the axis ofthe machine, and the flange 19 serves this purpose. When the flange 19is a separate unit, its position may be shifted by loosening the screw20 as will be understood. The use of the honing stone retainer in ahoning machine will be described in greater detail presently.

As mentioned previously, the dimensions of the chamber 14 are suitableto receive a honing stone 15 in relatively close sliding frictionalrelationship. However, to ensure that the stone '15 does not drop out ofthe chamber 14 in the event the dimensions of the chamber 14 are notsufliciently close to hold the stone 15 in place by friction alone, asmall aperture 30, Fl-G. 4 is formed laterally in the head 13, and theinner end of the aperture 30 is formed suitably to permit a ball 31 toprortude therethrough. That is, a flange 32 extends circumferentiallyabout the inner end of the aperture 30 as best seen in FIG. 4.

With a .ball 31 in place, a coil spring 33 is inserted thereafter andpressure is applied against the ball 31 by adjustment of a screw 34. Itwill be understood that only a slight pressure is needed on the ball 31.

The ball 31 presses the honing stone 15 against the opposite side of thechamber 14 to increase the frictional force holding the stone 15 withinthe chamber 14. Therefore, it may be seen that the requirements for thecircumferentially extending flange 32 is that it reduce the diameter ofthe aperture 30 to a dimension just slightly less than the diameter ofthe ball 31. By this means, the ball 31 cannot drop into the chamber 14when the honing stone 1-5 is removed. Yet, the ball 31 may moveoutwardly and inwardly relative to the inner end of the aperture 30 byan amount slightly less than its radius.

-In operation, the retainer 10 is inserted within an aperture 40, FIG.3, of a rocker arm 41, FIG. 2, and a screw 42 is tightened to fix theretainer 10in position. As mentioned previously, the flange 19 isattached to the retainer 10 to position the retainer 10 accuratelywithin the aperture 40.

By the application of a suitable fluid pressure to line 43, FIG. 2, thepiston rod 44 is retracted to a loading position, so that a work piece45 is dispensed onto a pair of shoes 46 and 47. Then, fluid in the line43 is relieved and pressure is applied to the line 48 whereby the rod 44moves forwardly and upwardly carrying the shoes 46 and 47 and the workpiece 45 therewith. The upward movement is accomplished by anothercylinder (not shown).

In this instance, the Work piece 45 'is the outer ring of a hearingwhich is to be honed on the inner surface thereof. j

To position the work piece 45 accurately for hon-ing, a hollowcyl-indrically shaped member 50 is fixedly attached to the end of therod 44 to bear tightly with a iirlctional force against thecircumference o'f'the work piece 45 and press it tightly against rollers51 and 52. Then, a suitable power means (not shown) turns thecylindrical member 50 at a predetermined speed, turning the work piece45 therewith. I With the work piece 45 in position against the rollers51 and 52, suitable fluid pressure isxapplied through the channel 16 tothe inner end of the chamber 14 to urge the honing stone 15 against theWork piece with a force which is proportional to the pressure of thefluid. The rotation of the work piece 45 with the honing stone inposition together with a rocking action by the rocker arm 41accomplishes the honing action.

With the honing operation completed, the fluid pressure against thestone 15 is relieved, and the work piece is lowered and retracted toachieve disengagement. The ball 31 and spring 33 maintains the honingstone 15 within the chamber 14.

It is essential that the pressure in the chamber 14 and in the channel16 be relieved prior to disengagement with the work piece. Otherwise,the honing stone 15 would be ejected from the chamber 14 by the fluidpressure. Therefore a suitable interlocking valve system, illustrated inFIG. 4 by the numeral 53, is connected to the fluid pressure line 17 torelieve the pressure in the line 17 before the rocker arm 41 is movable.

As viewed in FIG. 2, the rocker arm 41 is supported between spaced apartjournals 56 and 57, and movement of the rocker arm 41 is controlled by asuitable linkage indicated generally by the numeral 58.

Although the honing stone 15 fits in relatively close fittingrelationship Within the chamber 14, the pressurized fluid within thechannel 16 is dispensed around the periphery of the boning stone 15 tolubricate the honing action automatically.

It is understood that variations in the form and details of theembodiment shown and described may be made without departing from theprinciples of the invention. Therefore, it is the intention to belimited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

1 claim:

-1. A honing stone retainer comprising a body menu ber having a boretherein,

means on said body me ber to connect a source of pressurized fluid withsaid bore,

said body member having a chamber in communication with said bore,

and said chamber being dimensioned to receive a honing stone therein inclose-fitting but axially movable relationship,

said fluid flowing through said bore and communicating directly withsaid chamber to contact said honing stone and to exert pressure directlyupon said honing stone, whereby the pressure upon said honing stone maybe varied in accordance with variations in said fluid pressure,

said pressurized fluid being dispensed around the peripheral fit of saidhoning stone to lubricate the honing action automatically.

2. A honing stone retainer comprising a body member having a boretherein,

means to connect a source of said bore,

said body member having an elongated chamber in communication at one endwith said bore,

and said chamber having an aperture opening externally thereof at theopposite end to receive a honing stone within said chamber in relativelyclose-fitting but avially movable relationship,

said fluid flowing through said bore and communicating directly withsaid chamber to contact said honing stone and to exert pressure directlyupon said honing stone, whereby the pressure upon said honing stone maybe varied in accordance with variations in said fluid pressure,

said pressurized fluid being dispensed around the peripheral fit of saidhoning stone to lubricate the honing action automatically.

3. A honing stone retainer comprising a body member having alongitudinal axis, a

said body member having an elongated chamber the axis of which istransverse to the longitudinal axis of said body member,

pressurized fluid with means on the elongated axis of said chamber todefine an opening externally of said chamber,

the dimensions of said opening being predetermined to receive a honingstone in relatively close-fitting sliding relationship therewith,

and means to communicate a pressurized fluid to the inner end of saidchamber,

said fluid flowing through said bore and communicating directly withsaid chamber to contact said honing stone and to exert pressure directlyupon said honing stone, whereby the pressure upon said honing stone maybe varied in accordance with variations in said fluid pressure,

said pressurized fluid being dispensed around the peripheral fit of saidhoning stone to lubricate the honing action automatically.

4. A honingstone retainer comprising a body member having one axis,

means to define a chamber in said body member with a second axistransverse said one axis of said body member,

means on said second axis to define an opening externally of saidchamber,

the dimensions of said opening being predetermined to receive a honingstone in relatively close-fitting but axially movable relationshiptherewith,

and means to communicate a pressurized fluid to the inner end of saidchamber,

said fluid flowing through said body and communicating directly withsaid chamber to contact said honing stone and to exert pressure directlyupon said honing stone, whereby the pressure upon said honing stone maybe varied in accordance with variations in said fluid pressure,

said pressurized fluid being dispensed around the peripheral fit of saidhoning stone to lubricate the houing action automatically.

5. A honing stone retainer comprising a body member having one axis,

means to define a chamber in said body member with a second axistransverse said one axis of said body member,

means on said second axis to define an opening externally of saidchamber,

the dimensions of sad opening being predetermined to receive a honingstone in relatively close-fitting relationship therewith,

means to communicate a pressurized fluid to the inner end of saidchamber,

and means to cut oil communication of said fluid pressure beforeterminating a honing operation,

said fluid flowing through said body and communicating directly withsaid chamber to contact said honing stone and to exert pressure directlyupon said honing stone, whereby the pressure upon said honing stone maybe varied in accordance with variations in said fluid pressure,

said pressurized fluid being dispensed around the peripheral fit of saidhoning stone to lubricate the honing action automatically.

6. A honing stone retainer comprising an elongated body member having alongitudinal axis,

a flange fitted about said elongated body member,

means on said flange to detachably fix said flange to said body memberat a predetermined position,

said body member having a channel extending substantially throughout thelength of the elongated body member,

means at one end of said channel to connect a source of pressurizedfluid,

the opposite end of said channel terminating in a chamber extendingsubstantially transverse to said longitudinal axis and openingexternally of said body member at a point removed from said channel,

the cross-sectional dimensions of said chamber being predetermined toreceive a honing stone in relatively close-fitting but axially movablerelationship,

said fluid flowing through said body and communicating directly withsaid chamber to contact said honing stone and to exert pressure directlyupon said honing stone, whereby the pressure upon said honing stone maybe varied in accordance with variations in said fluid pressure,

said pressurized fluid being dispensed around the peripheral fit of saidhoning stone to lubricate the honing action automatically.

7. A honing stone retainer comprising a body member having a boretherein,

means on said body member to connect a source of pressurized fluid withsaid bore,

said body member having a chamber in communication with said bore,

and said chamber being dimensioned to receive a honing stone therein inclose-fitting but axially movable relationship,

said fluid flowing through said bore and communicating directly withsaid chamber to contact said honing stone and to exert pressure directlyupon said honing stone, whereby the pressure upon said honing stone maybe varied in accordance with variations in said fluid pressure,

said pressurized fluid being dispensed around the peripheral fit of saidhoning stone to lubricate the honing action automatically, and saidretainer having holding means engageable with said honing stone toprevent said stone from dropping from said retainer when said honingstone is not acting upon an object. 8. The retainer of claim 7 in whichsaid holding means comprises a spring biased detent.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A HONING STONE RETAINER COMPRISING A BODY MEMBER HAVING A BORETHEREIN, MEANS ON SAID BODY MEMBER TO CONNECT A SOURCE OF PRESSURIZEDFLUID WITH SAID BORE, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING A CHAMBER IN COMMUNICATIONWITH SAID BORE, AND SAID CHAMBER BEING DIMENSIONED TO RECEIVE A HONINGSTONE THEREIN IN CLOSE-FITTING BUT AXIALLY MOVABLE RELATIONSHIP, SAIDFLUID FLOWING THROUGH SAID BORE AND COMMUNICATING DIRECTLY WITH SAIDCHAMBER TO CONTACT SAID HONING